Max Verstappen snatched pole position for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Sprint Race with a mega lap in the final seconds, but an earlier move could see him in hot water with the stewards.
The Dutchman left it late to take P1 from Charles Leclerc, nullifying Ferrari’s impressive showing up until that point, but an investigation for overtaking Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton under a waved yellow flag is yet to have an outcome.
George Russell will stand to gain pole position if Verstappen is penalised, the Brit taking P2.
SQ1
Only five drivers – Hamilton, Gasly, Alonso, Colapinto and Stroll – had laid down a lap when Sergio Perez tapped the wall at Turn 5’s run-off area.
The Mexican kept is Cadillac’s engine running and duly opted to reverse out and limp back to the pits, leaving a trail of debris behind. The red flag was out.
Hamilton complained that Verstappen had overtaken him under the yellow flags, the Dutchman also acknowledging his mistake. The manoeuvre would earn him an investigation from the stewards.
By the time running resumed, there was just a handful of laps to go. Both Ferraris got themselves into the bracket of banker laps, followed by both Mercedes.
It was a case of the usual suspects making their way through, with Nico Hulkenberg an impressive fifth amongst the cautious frontrunners, but Arvid Lindblad narrowly missed out on progressing, in what is his first weekend on the challenging Marina Bay Circuit.
Out: Lindblad, Stroll, Albon, Perez, Bottas, Sainz
SQ2
A glitch in the timing system delayed the start of SQ2, but once it got going, it appeared that Ferrari’s pace in SQ1 was no fluke – as both Leclerc and Hamilton led the way with a few minutes to go.
A typical flurry of cars were frantically looking for an improvement in the final moments, and the Ferraris remained in 1-2. Both Mercedes kept it cautious, with Russell now in the danger zone as both Alpines took a place in the top 10.
But the Brit, in the final seconds, put himself up into fourth spot, dropping Franco Colapinto out.
Out: Colapinto, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Bortoleto, Alonso, Ocon
SQ3
With what looked to be a red wave in the first two parts of qualifying, might Ferrari be in touch of a front row opportunity? The answer ultimately proved to be ‘no’.
It looked a dicey moment for Verstappen, whose Red Bull was on its jacks waiting for new tyres by the time everybody else had bolted on their Softs for the crunch moment.
Verstappen would get his rubber fitted securely in time, but it would be Leclerc who set the early benchmark.
Hamilton’s first attempt was somewhat sloppy with a fair bit of the backend getting away from him. Exciting to watch, but ultimately, a tax to pay on his lap time.
The #44 would end up sixth, behind both McLarens, with Lando Norris fifth and Oscar Piastri leapfrogging his teammate for fourth.
Leclerc was looking in prime position to take pole, but as the seconds ticked away, Verstappen, predictably, popped up with a 1:31.156s to go P1.
Mercedes, with the W17 looking like it was going through the motions, raised a few eyebrows with Russell taking P2 from Leclerc, his lap one tenth off Verstappen.
All eyes were now on Antonelli, who was now expected to come through with a time to put him in a decent position, but could not improve significantly, and ended the day seventh, seven tenths off Verstappen.
Whilst Verstappen looked threatened in terms of long run pace in FP1, perhaps the arrival of a spectacular lap to take pole position was somewhat of a surprise, but betting against him is always a dangerous move.
Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Gasly rounded up the top 10, with what promises to be a chaotic Sprint on Saturday.
READ MORE – F1 2026 Singapore Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying Results
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